No need for the blues with free festival sounds

Blackpool’s St Johns Square is to once more swing with the sounds of jazz and blues this weekend.

For the fourth year, the free Blackpool Jazz And Blues Festival will take place across Saturday and Sunday, showcasing local talents alongside graduates from some of the country’s top music colleges.

Wyre Levee Stompers at last years Blackpool Jazz And Blues Festival

Making an appearance for a fourth year will be The Wyre Levee Stompers with their programme of trad and Dixieland jazz, with some of their members playing locally since the 1950s.

Also on the bill is the CDF# trio, featuring pianist Frank Flynn, another local veteran playing on the Fylde for the past 60 years.

Organiser Stephen Pierre, owner of The Galleon in Abingdon Street, said: “Frank is a real character; not only is he a fine musician, he is blessed with the gift of comic timing.

“We are also privileged to feature regular local team players such as pianist Mike Taylor who is a Leeds College of Music graduate, and the superb guitarist Chris Hodder and all round supporter Stephen Vickers.

Stephen Pierre

“Without their help and valued contribution it would be almost impossible for me to stage this annual event.”

Also set to appear are Twin Fretts with jazz reggae, acoustic blues from Johnny Roxx and Dom Corcoran, rock blues band Old Rope fronted by singer guitarist Keith Cruden, and the return of 16-year-old aspiring singer/songwriter Harvey Brittain.

Also back in town is former Blackpool and The Fylde College student guitarist Ally Pickering, who will start his third year of music composition studies in Amsterdam in September.